Could one person’s predicament serve as the source of another’s amusement? Ideally, it should not. Perhaps that’s why quite a few jumped in to chastise Conor Benn as he publicly shared his merriment at the reconciliation between rival Chris Eubank Jr. and Frank Warren. A controversy erupted following Eubank Jr.’s comments at the press conference for next month’s undisputed battle between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

Probably the fans’ outrage could be attributed to the controversy surrounding Conor Benn. In the lead-up to a highly anticipated clash with Eubank Jr., reports of Benn failing to clear tests for banned substances led to a nearly year-long drama that seesawed between his stand and the decisions of the governing bodies. After a lengthy absence from the ring, Benn returned last September, but only in a match held outside the UK.

Out of the blue

It was a gleeful laugh. Conor Benn, it seems, was having fun watching the turnaround in Chris Eubank Jr.’s stand. after what he said at the presser. ‘The Next Gen’ faces the Polish man Kamil Szeremeta on the star-studded undercard of the Beterbiev-Bivol fight. However, things turned topsy-turvy at the press conference.

Labeling promoters as ‘scumbags”, Eubank Jr. explained his reasons for joining Ben Shalom‘s BOXXER. Then picking Frank Warren, he said, “We have Frank Warren behind me; he has been lying and cheating his way through boxing for the last few decades. He sued me for a couple of hundred thousand a few years ago, so obviously I’d never go with him. Scumbag.”

Chris Eubank’s son then called out former promoter Wasserman Boxing and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, among others. In a subsequent interview, Warren shot back, sharing that he might sue Eubank Jr. Later, ‘The Next Gen’ went back on his statement. Promising to remain focused on boxing, he offered an apology.

He said, “Following today’s press conference for the historic Riyadh Season on October 12, I would like to retract my inaccurate statements and offer my apologies to Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, and Kalle Sauerland.” Letting bygones be bygones, on his part, Frank Warren too accepted Chris Eubank Jr.’s expression of regret.

Conor Benn: Your Commitments First, Please

Considering that the momentary feud has been settled for good, several fans found Conor Benn’s reaction quite strange. Let’s check what a few of them had to say.

Highlighting Benn’s legal and career challenges, which have sidelined him from major boxing events, this fan pointed out how Eubank Jr. has been comparatively active. They said, “At least Chris is on the card getting a payday.”

Sarcastically jabbing at Conor Benn’s ongoing suspension for doping violations, the next fan also called out ‘The Destroyer,’ hoping that the fighter gets well soon. “You still banned for being a multiple times steroid abuser, champ? 🥊 Wish you well mind.”

The following fan pulled up Benn’s earlier explanation for failing the drug tests. He had reportedly claimed that the banned substance might have entered his system through eggs. So according to the fan, Benn found the Eubank Jr. incident so funny that it almost caused him to ‘choke’. This is what the fan said: “You laughed so much you nearly choked on your hard-boiled egg.”

This follower seemed puzzled. They wondered whether Benn had ever taken responsibility for his actions. “Did you ever apologize for getting caught with contaminated eggs in your system? 🥴,” the follower said.

Finally, this user suggested that Benn should stop acting self-righteous while his own issues remain unresolved. He should focus on himself. The user said, “Should really try to concentrate on yourself, Ben? You still have not cleared your own mess up, so put the soapbox away and concentrate on sorting your own mess!”

Per available reports, Conor Benn is under provisional suspension. Earlier, an independent body, the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), had lifted the suspension.

However, the United Kingdom Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) lodged an appeal against the decision. Resultingly, Benn saw his suspension reinstated. Now, according to a piece from Sky Sports, next month a crucial meeting has been scheduled. It will reportedly determine whether Conor Benn could return to the ring or not.

Do you feel a match between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. still has many takers?